Diary

Rotary Club of Port Pirie

Diary entries of Melissa Sweet

Sunday 1st of April 2007 - 04:04:11 PM
Home safely
Well 4 of us are home safely. I know I am absolutely exhausted but have to be upbeat for the children. It was wonderful climbing into my own bed for a powernap, having a hot shower with water pressure and toilet paper in the toilet. Thinking about feeding myself though is all to hard!! Where's my host family when I need them. Goodbyes are interesting with 2 lovely Rotarians leaving 4 of us at the airport (Stephen dropped of at Wak Wak and Bob staying in Angeles) we negotiated our way through the airport. I know I was relieved we all got on the airplane safely. After spending every day with these people for the last month I thought it would be more difficult when we reached Adelaide to say goodbye, but I know I was very happy to see their love ones (who I feel I know) and most importantly see my husband and children. Honestly I think we were all just happy to be home safely with our love ones and I know we will all keep in contact. Thankyou to Marie and Reg for greeting us at the airport and I was pleased you got to take the final photo of the travel weary GSE team. Thankyou for the opportunity of a lifetime!!



Tuesday 27th of March 2007 - 03:10:15 PM
Last Stop
We have just arrived in our last stop, Angeles, which apparently is know for its' sex trade. I don't feel that this ois part of the culture I need to experience despite some people telling me otherwise. As I think back to when we first arrived in Manilla it seems so long ago. The amount of people we have met, sights we have seen and information we have been given really is quite overwhelming. Someone worked out we meet about 20 new people a day, I have never shaken hands or kissed so many people in my life!! Watch out back home I now kiss eveyone without a second thought. Yesterday was an interesting day we had a vocational day but I chose not to go to a hospital as that is not my area of interest and the Aged Care Facilities are very draining on you emotions as you can't help them and you know that every day wil be the same until they die. So instead I spent the day with Stephen and his host Mario, who is an absolute treasure (salamat po). We visited his old school which has adaopted for a Rotary project of suppulying 2 deep wells. Can you imagine sending your child to a school in Australia with no running water and no electricity (government run school) and being grateful for the privilage. I think as a nation we need to look at our expectations and be grateful and thankful for all of the luxuries we have. I must admit I am almost ready to go home where I know what is going to happen from day to day and I work to a timeframe. As someone who is governed by time and schedules to not know, have things constanly changed and 7 o'clock means 9 o'clock has been difficult to adjust too. Today as we we drove here I thought with sadness the fact that after we get off the plane we wont be seeing each other everyday. It is funny when we have individual days how when we meet at the end of the day it is like we haven't seen each other in years and we need to catch up and reafirm that everyone is ok physically and emotionally. To future GSE teams take your vitamins!!



Friday 23rd of March 2007 - 04:59:54 PM
La Union
The travelling circus continues on its' magical mystery tour. We are now in La Union which is a beach side community. Today I visited a school where they teach people to be careers, it was very informative. They are taught care needs from bith to old age over a 6 month period. It is amazing the amount of people who want to come and live in Australia. I then visited a wonderful school which has intergrated SPED - special care needs children. It was an absolute delight awarding children their medals and trophies. The joy the special needs children displayed when we gave them some gifts was incredible. Tomorrow we are off to go swimming and then lunch and then off to the next destination. Some days it is difficult to keep the energy levels up and be bright and bubbly so that our hosts get the most from us. Team dynamics and friendships help to boast those that need some help. It is amazing how quickly friendships form when you are all in close quarters and only have each other to rely on.



Tuesday 20th of March 2007 - 05:32:25 PM
Vigan
Have arrived in Vigan after spending some cool time in Baguio. which made a nice change to the contiuing heat and humidity. Vigan is heavily influenced by the Spanish, with cobbled stoned streets and awesome buildings. Today we visited 2 projects sposored by Vigan RC, they inluded the fish farms where fish are farmed in cages and the sea urchin farms. The team dynamics continue to grow and it is truely amazing how close you can grow to someone in such a short period of time.(Especially when you have to share a bed with someone - completely new experience!!) Tomorrow is anotther full day in Laoag first thing and we will not get back till midnight. I am learning to sleep less and continue to be happy!!



Thursday 15th of March 2007 - 02:36:40 PM
Discon
Have arrived in Baguio after spending time in Tarlac. The hospitality and the people have been absolutely amazing our every need is catered for. Yesterday we attended the Governers (who is a Bishop) birthday and even he was running around making sure we have everything we need. We have also climbed Mount Pinatobo, which was not nearly as hard as I was anticipating, especially when people laughed when I asked if they were walking with us. Stephen, Natasha, Jaypee and myself were in the most 'interesting' of jeeps. The fuel tank consisted of a plastic large water bottle conected up and when that one was empty we swapped them over. Before we could leave we had to wait for the Philippine army to complete its' target training. The dust was pretty thick althogh very fine on the way up (so we thought). The trek itself wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. For me the shear magnitude of this disaster is overwhelming and its' negative impacts continue to have enormous ramifications for millions of people. We swam in the crater which is something I never thought I would have an opportunity to do although I was a bit worried about the heathiness of the water. I have been spending to much time with Tash!! We have moved onto our next destination Baguio where we are attending the Discon. We have to give a 30 minute presentation to about 800 people. 15 days ago that would have sent me into melt down, now I think no worries. This trip has certainly provided me with the most amazing life skills that no amount of classroom teaching could give you. Just the fat I am living with different people from a different culture and we can all get along harmoniously brings joy to my heart. We should all open up ourselves to new people and adventures as often as possible to get as much from life as we can. I ahve always said you only get out what you put in and I intend to put in so much more. Love to everyone, Melissa



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